Surgical apparatus

ABSTRACT

A surgical apparatus includes a housing that supports a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and includes coaxially aligned outer and inner shaft members. The inner shaft member is movable within the outer shaft member. An end effector includes a pair of jaw members disposed at a distal end of the outer shaft. At least one of the jaw members is pivotably coupled to the outer shaft and is movable between open and clamping configurations for grasping tissue. The inner shaft contacts a proximal end of the moveable jaw member to maintain the movable jaw member in the open configuration and is slidable against the movable jaw member to move the moveable jaw member between the open configuration and clamping configuration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/041,995, filed Sep. 30, 2013, which claims the benefit of andpriority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/730,399, filed Nov.27, 2012. The entire contents of each of these applications areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to surgical apparatuses. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to surgical apparatusesincluding jaw members configured to grasp, manipulate and/or treattissue.

Description of Related Art

Surgical apparatuses utilized to grasp, manipulate and/or treat tissueare known in the medical art. For example, endoscopic electrosurgicalforceps utilize an end effector having one or more moveable jaw membersthat are configured to grasp tissue and, subsequently, treat the tissuevia one or more suitable types of energy, e.g., radio frequency (RF). Incertain instances, the movable jaw member(s) is/are actuated to movefrom an open configuration for positioning tissue between the jawmembers to a closed configuration for grasping tissue for subsequenttreatment thereof. In certain instances, the treated tissue may besevered.

A drive member, typically, couples to the moveable jaw member(s) via oneor more cam pins operably coupled to corresponding cam slots disposed onthe moveable jaw member(s). As is conventional in the art, the camslot(s) is/are provided at a proximal end of the moveable jaw member(s)via one or more suitable methods. For example, and in one particularinstance, the cam slot(s) may be machined out of the movable jawmember(s).

As can be appreciated, the machining process may add to the overallmanufacturing costs of the forceps. Moreover, and in the instance wherethe forceps is configured to sever tissue, a knife blade is typicallyprovided with “webbing” that allows the knife blade to pass around (orover) the cam pin(s) on the moveable jaw member(s). As can beappreciated, providing a knife blade that includes webbing may also addto the overall manufacturing costs of the forceps.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail withreference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numeralsidentify similar or identical elements. As used herein, the term“distal” refers to the portion that is being described which is furtherfrom a user, while the term “proximal” refers to the portion that isbeing described which is closer to a user.

As defined herein, a surgical apparatus includes without limitationgraspers, forceps of any type, probes and the like.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a surgical apparatus, e.g.,an endoscopic electrosurgical forceps. The surgical apparatus includes ahousing that supports a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly defines alongitudinal axis therethrough and includes coaxially aligned outer andinner shaft members. The inner shaft member is movable within the outershaft member. An end effector includes a pair of jaw members disposed ata distal end of the outer shaft member and pivotably coupled to oneanother. At least one of the jaw members is pivotably coupled to theouter shaft and is movable between an open configuration and a clampingconfiguration for grasping tissue. The inner shaft contacts a proximalend of the moveable jaw member to maintain the movable jaw member in theopen configuration and is slidable against the movable jaw member tomove the moveable jaw member between the open configuration and clampingconfiguration. The inner shaft member includes at least one tine at adistal end thereof. The tine(s) are configured to selectively engage acorresponding longitudinal slot defined on an exterior top surface ofthe movable jaw member to move the moveable jaw member from the openconfiguration to the clamping configuration.

A pivot pin may be utilized to couple the pair of jaw members to oneanother. In this instance, an aperture may extend through the pivot pinand may be configured to receive a knife blade of the surgical apparatustherethrough to sever grasped tissue.

Both jaw members may be pivotably coupled to the outer shaft member andthe inner shaft may contact a proximal end of both jaw members tomaintain the jaw members in the open configuration. The moveable shaftmember may be slidable against the jaw members to move the jaw membersbetween the open and clamping configuration. The inner shaft member mayinclude two tines at a distal end thereof configured to selectivelyengage corresponding longitudinal slots defined on an exterior topsurface of jaw members to move jaw members from the open configurationto the clamping configuration. Moreover, a handle assembly may operablycouple to the housing and have a movable handle that is operably coupledto the inner shaft member to effectuate movement thereof along thelongitudinal axis defined through the shaft assembly.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides an electrosurgical forcepshaving a housing including a handle assembly having fixed and moveablehandles. A shaft assembly is supported on the housing and defines alongitudinal axis therethrough. The shaft assembly includes coaxiallyaligned outer and inner shaft members. The inner shaft member is movablewithin the outer shaft member when the moveable handle is actuated toeffectuate grasping tissue. The moveable shaft member has at least onecam member disposed at a distal end thereof. An end effector includes apair of jaw members pivotably coupled to one another and disposed at adistal end of the outer shaft member. At least one of the jaw members ismovable from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. Themovable jaw member(s) includes an arcuate portion defined at theproximal end thereof. The cam member(s) resides in the arcuate portionof the moveable jaw member to maintain the movable jaw member in theopen configuration and to move the moveable jaw member between the openconfiguration and clamping configuration when the movable handle isactuated. A pivot pin may be utilized to couple the pair of jaw membersto one another.

The inner shaft member may include one or more cam members that extendtransversely thereacross at a distal end thereof. The cam member(s) maybe a cam pin. Alternatively, cam member(s) may be integrally formed withthe inner shaft member. The cam member may reside in an arcuate portiondefined at the proximal end of the moveable jaw member and may bemoveable within the arcuate portion such that contact between the cammember and a proximal end of the arcuate portion moves the moveable jawmember from the open configuration to the clamping configuration.

The inner shaft member may include two cam members that extendtransversely thereacross at a distal end thereof. The cam members mayreside in arcuate portions defined at the proximal end of the jawmembers and may be moveable within the arcuate portions such thatcontact between the cam members and a proximal end of the arcuateportions moves the jaw members from the open configuration to theclamping configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelowwith references to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a right, perspective view of an endoscopic bipolar forcepsaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side, perspective view of a distal end of an outer shaftdepicted in FIG. 1 with jaw members removed;

FIG. 3 is a side, perspective view of a distal end of an inner shaft ofthe endoscopic bipolar forceps depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side, perspective view of a movable jaw member depicted inFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side, perspective view of a stationary jaw member depictedin FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side, perspective view of a pivot pin utilized to couple thejaw members depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the jaw members depicted in FIG. 1 illustratedin an open configuration;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the jaw members depicted in FIG. 1 illustratedin a closed configuration;

FIG. 9 is a side, perspective view of an inner shaft according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure and configured for use withthe endoscopic bipolar forceps depicted in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 10A-10B are left and right side, perspective views of a movablejaw member configured for use with the moveable shaft depicted in FIG.9;

FIGS. 11A-11B are bottom and side plan views of a movable jaw memberconfigured for use with the moveable shaft depicted in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the jaw members depicted in FIGS. 10A-11Billustrated in an open configuration;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the jaw members depicted in FIGS. 10A-11Billustrated in a closed configuration;

FIG. 14 is a side, perspective view of a distal end of an outer shaftaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure and configuredfor use with the endoscopic bipolar forceps depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15A is a side, perspective view of a movable jaw member depicted inFIG. 14;

FIG. 15B is a side, perspective view of a stationary jaw member depictedin FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a side, perspective view of a distal end of an inner shaftassociated with the distal end of the outer shaft depicted in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a side, perspective view of an inner shaft associated with ofthe distal end of the outer shaft depicted in FIG. 14 according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the jaw members depicted in FIGS. 15A and 15Billustrated in a closed configuration;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the jaw members depicted in FIGS. 15A and 15Billustrated in an open configuration;

FIG. 20 is a side, perspective view of an inner shaft according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure and configured for use withthe outer shaft depicted in FIG. 14;

FIG. 21 is a side, perspective view of an inner shaft according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure and configured for use withthe outer shaft depicted in FIG. 14;

FIG. 22 is a side view of jaw members configured for use with the innershaft assemblies depicted in FIGS. 20 and 21 and the illustrated in aclosed configuration; and

FIG. 23 is a side view of jaw members configured for use with the innershaft assemblies depicted in FIGS. 20 and 21 and the illustrated in anopen configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein;however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of thedisclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailedstructure.

Turning now to FIG. 1 a surgical apparatus, e.g., an endoscopicelectrosurgical forceps 2 (forceps 2), according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure is illustrated. Forceps 2 includes a housing 4, ahandle assembly 6 including a movable handle 6 a and fixed handle 6 b, arotating assembly 8, a trigger assembly 10 and an end effector assembly12. In the illustrated embodiment, forceps 2 also includeselectrosurgical cable 20 that connects forceps 2 to a generator (notexplicitly shown) or other suitable power source. Cable 20 includes awire (or wires) (not shown) extending therethrough that has sufficientlength to extend through shaft 14 in order to provide electrical energyto one or both jaw members 20, 22 of end effector assembly 12.Alternatively, forceps 2 may be battery-powered. In this instance, aremovable generator and battery assembly may be configured to power theforceps 2.

With reference to FIGS. 1-2, a shaft assembly 14 including an outershaft 14 a (shaft 14 a) is illustrated. Shaft 14 a includes a distal end16 that is configured to mechanically engage end effector assembly 12and a proximal end 18 that mechanically engages housing 4 (FIGS. 1 and2). Shaft 14 a may be formed of any suitable material including, but notlimited to metal, ceramic, plastic, etc. In the illustrated embodiment,shaft 14 a is formed from metal, e.g., surgical steel.

One or both of jaw members 20, 22 are pivotably coupled to distal end 16of shaft 14 a. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, shaft 14 apivotably couples to jaw member 20 via a pivot pin 24 (FIGS. 1 and 6-8)that extends through a pair of apertures 26 of suitable configurationdefined through distal end 16 of shaft 14, as best seen in FIG. 2.

Pivot pin 24 may be made from any suitable material including thematerials utilized to form shaft 14 a, e.g., surgical steel. In someembodiments, such as embodiments where forceps 2 utilizes a knife blade28 (FIG. 6) to sever treated tissue, pivot pin 24 may be formed with anaperture 30 of suitable configuration therethrough to receive knifeblade 28 therein when trigger 11 (FIG. 1) of trigger assembly 10 isactuated. As a result of the unique configuration of pivot pin 24, knifeblade 28 may be formed without “webbing,” which, in turn, may provideknife blade 28 with increased structural integrity when compared toknife blades that are typically associated with conventional forceps.Additionally, the cost of manufacturing knife blade 28 (and/or forceps2) in accordance with the instant disclosure may be less when comparedto knife blades that are typically associated with conventional forceps.That is, the additional step of forming “webbing” through knife blade 28is not required during manufacture of knife blade 28.

With reference now to FIG. 3, shaft assembly 14 also includes an innershaft 14 b (shaft 14 b). Shaft 14 b may be formed of any suitablematerial, e.g., surgical steel, and is coaxially disposed within shaft14 a (see FIGS. 7 and 8 for example). Shaft 14 b is movable with respectto shaft 14 a when movable handle 6 a is moved proximally to effectuatemovement of one or both of jaw members 20, 22. Shaft 14 b is configuredto contact a proximal end 20 a (FIGS. 4 and 7) of jaw member 20 tomaintain jaw member 20 in an open configuration (FIGS. 1 and 7) and isslidable there against to move jaw member 20 between the openconfiguration and a clamping configuration (FIG. 8). In one embodiment,shaft 14 b includes a generally tubular configuration having one or moretines 32 (FIG. 3) formed at a distal end 33 thereof. The tubularconfiguration of shaft 14 b allows knife blade 28 to translate throughshaft 14 b when trigger 11 is actuated.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 3, tine 32 includes a generallyelongated configuration having a distal tip with an inwardly extendingflange 31 that is slidable against an exterior surface 34 of a jawhousing 36 of jaw member 20 (FIGS. 3 and 4). In particular, when movablehandle 6 a is moved proximally, shaft 14 b is configured to translatedistally, which, in turn, moves flange 31 of tine 32 out of contact withproximal end 20 a of jaw member 20 and into engagement with acorresponding longitudinal slot 38 defined on exterior surface 34 of jawmember 20 (FIG. 4). Movement of tine 32 within slot 38 moves jaw member20 from the open configuration to the clamping configuration (and viceversa).

Tine 32 may be monolithically formed with shaft 14 b or may be formed asa separate component from shaft 14 b and, subsequently, coupled via oneor more suitable coupling methods, e.g., ultrasonic welding, to distalend 33 of shaft 14 b.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, jaw members 20, 22 are illustratedrespectively. End effector 12 is illustrated having jaw members 20, 22that are operable in a bipolar mode configuration, e.g., both jawmembers 20, 22 are configured to provide electrosurgical energy totissue. In this instance, jaw members 20, 22 are operable as active andreturn electrodes. Alternatively, in a monopolar mode configuration, oneof jaw members 20, 22 may be configured to function as the activeelectrode and a return pad (not explicitly shown) may be configured tofunction as the return electrode and utilized to provide a return pathto the generator for electrosurgical energy.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, end effector 12 is shownincluding jaw members 20, 22 that are operable in a unilateralconfiguration. That is, jaw member 20 is movable with respect to jawmember 22 and shaft 14 a from the open configuration to the clampingconfiguration when movable handle 6 a is moved proximal. Alternatively,end effector 12 may be operable in a bilateral configuration where bothjaw members 20, 22 may be movable with respect to each other from theopen configuration to the clamping configuration when movable handle 6 ais moved proximal, as described in more detail below.

Referring again to FIG. 4, slot 38 may be formed during an overmoldingprocess of jaw housing 36 to jaw member 20. Alternatively, a machiningprocess may be utilized to form slot 38 into exterior surface 34 of jawhousing 36 subsequent to overmolding jaw housing 36 to jaw member 20.Slot 38 extends substantially along a length of exterior surface 34 andis aligned with tine 32 such that as shaft 14 b is moved distally, tine32 moves distally and engages slot 38 to move jaw member 20 from theopen configuration to the clamping configuration (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

Continuing with reference to FIG. 4, proximal end 20 a is configured toselectively engage distal end 33 of shaft 14 b. In particular, aprotuberance 40 is provided at proximal end 20 a of jaw member 20 and isconfigured to engage flange 31 of tine 32 when shaft 14 b is in aretracted configuration. Engagement between protuberance 40 and flange31 of tine 32 maintains jaw member 20 in the open configuration, as bestseen in FIG. 7. Flange 31 is aligned with longitudinal slot 38 so as tolaterally offset tine 32 from protuberance 40 which allows jaw member 20including protuberance 40 to move from the open and clampingconfigurations without tine 32 and protuberance 40 interfering with oneanother.

In the illustrated embodiment, jaw member 22 is fixedly coupled to shaft14 a via one or more suitable coupling methods, e.g., ultrasonicwelding. Jaw member 22 is coupled to shaft 14 a such that shaft 14 b isallowed to move from the retracted configuration disposed within shaft14 a (FIG. 7) to an extended configuration disposed outside of shaft 14a so that tine 32 may engage slot 38 (FIG. 8). In one particularembodiment, for example, a proximal end 22 a of jaw member 22 mayinclude a generally arcuate configuration that complements an interiorsurface of shaft 14 a and may be ultrasonically welded to the interiorsurface of shaft 14 b. This specific configuration allows shaft 14 b tomove over jaw member 22 from the retracted configuration to the extendedconfiguration without interference from the jaw member 22. Those skilledin the art will appreciate alternative methods for coupling jaw member22 to shaft 14 a.

Apertures 23, 25 (FIGS. 4 and 5) extend through jaw members 20, 22,respectively, and are configured to receive pivot pin 24 therethroughsuch that jaw members 20, 22 are positioned in side-by-side fashion withrespect to one another when in an assembled configuration (as best seenin FIG. 1). Alternatively, in some embodiments jaw member 22 may beprovided without an aperture 25.

With reference again to FIG. 1, movable handle 6 a is configured toeffectuate movement of shaft 14 b from the retracted configuration theextended configuration. One or more gears, links, servos, and the likemay be utilized to couple movable handle 6 a to shaft 14 b. For example,and in one particular embodiment, a four-bar linkage system may beutilized to couple shaft 14 b to movable handle 6 a. In this particularembodiment, for example, proximal movement of movable handle 6 aeffectuates movement of a drive mechanism, e.g., a drive rod (notexplicitly shown), which, in turn, moves shaft 14 b distally.

In use, initially, flange 31 of tine 32 is engaged with protuberance 40on jaw member 20 to maintain jaw member 20 in the open configuration(FIG. 7). Subsequently, tissue may be positioned between jaw members 20,22 and movable handle 6 a may be moved proximally. Proximal movement ofmovable handle 6 a moves shaft 14 b distally to the extendedconfiguration. As shaft 14 b moves distally, tine 32 including flange 31moves out of engagement with protuberance 40 and into engagement withcorresponding slot 38 on jaw member 20.

When tine 32 moves a predetermined distance, e.g., to distal end of slot38, within slot 38, jaw member 20 moves to the clamping configuration toclamp the tissue positioned between jaw member 20 and jaw member 22(FIG. 8). In the clamped configuration, tine 32 may be configured toprovide a suitable closure force on the clamped tissue. For example,when tissue is to be sealed, tine 32 may be configured to provide aclosure force on the clamped tissue that ranges from about 3 kg/cm² toabout 16 kg/cm². In certain embodiments, however, such as, for example,in the instance where tissue is to coagulated, it may prove advantageousto provide a closure force on the clamped tissue that is less than 3kg/cm² and/or greater than 16 kg/cm².

Electrosurgical energy from the generator may then be provided to jawmembers 20, 22 to electrosurgically treat tissue. In some embodiments,knife blade 28 may be actuated to sever the treated tissue. In thisparticular embodiment, for example, trigger 11 of trigger assembly 10may be actuated to translate knife blade 28 through aperture 30 of pivotpin 24 to sever the treated tissue.

The unique configuration of tine 32 and jaw member 20 allows a user toeffectively clamp tissue between jaw members 20, 22 and, subsequently,treat the clamped tissue without the need of a camming member and campin that are typically associated with jaw members of conventionalforceps.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings,those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications canalso be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scopeof the same. For example, and as noted above, in certain embodiments itmay prove advantageous to utilize an end effector 12 that has twomovable jaw members 20, 22.

With reference to FIGS. 9-13, an end effector 112 according to analternate embodiment of the instant disclosure and configured for usewith the forceps 2 is illustrated. Only the features unique to forceps 2that utilize end effector 112 are described in further detail.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9-13, jaw member 122 (FIGS.11A-11B) is configured to move from the open configuration (FIG. 12) tothe clamping configuration (FIG. 13). Therefore, unlike shaft assembly14, shaft assembly 114 includes shaft 114 a that is configured topivotably couple to both jaw members 120, 122 (FIG. 12).

Shaft 114 b includes a bifurcated distal end 133 having a pair of tines132 a and 132 b (FIG. 9) configured to engage corresponding slots 138and 139 disposed on jaw members 120, 122 (FIGS. 10A-10B and 11A). Tines132 a and 132 b including respective flanges 131, 135 are configured tofunction similar to that of tine 32. In view thereof, tines 132 a and132 b are not described in further detail. Other than being disposed onjaw member 122 and configured to engage a tine 132 b, slot 139 isidentical to slot 138. In view thereof, slot 139 is not described infurther detail.

Unlike jaw member 22, jaw member 122 includes a proximal end 122 ahaving a protuberance 142 that is configured to engage tine 132 b (FIGS.11A-11B). Engagement of protuberance 142 with flange 135 of tine 132 bmaintains jaw member 122 in the open configuration, see FIG. 12 forexample.

In use, initially, flanges 131, 135 of tines 132 a, 132 b, respectively,are engaged with protuberances 140, 142 on jaw members 120, 122 tomaintain jaw members 120, 122 in the open configuration (FIG. 12).Subsequently, tissue may be positioned between jaw members 120, 122 andmovable handle 6 a may be moved proximally. Proximal movement of movablehandle 6 a moves shaft 114 b distally to the retracted configuration. Asshaft 114 b moves distally, tines 132 a, 132 b move out of engagementwith protuberances 140, 142 and into engagement with corresponding slots138, 139 on jaw members 120, 122.

When tines 132 a, 132 b move a predetermined distance within slots 138,139, jaw members 120, 122 move to the clamping configuration to clampthe tissue positioned between jaw member 120 and jaw member 122 (FIG.13). In the clamped configuration, tines 132 a, 132 b may be configuredto provide one or more of the aforementioned suitable closure forces onthe clamped tissue.

Electrosurgical energy from the generator may then be provided to jawmembers 120, 122 to electrosurgically treat tissue. In some embodiments,knife blade 28 may be actuated to sever the treated tissue. In thisparticular embodiment, for example, trigger 11 of trigger assembly 10may be actuated to translate knife blade 28 through aperture 30 of pivotpin 24 to sever the treated tissue.

As can be appreciated, the same aforementioned advantages describedabove with respect to forceps 2 that utilizes one movable jaw member 20,may be obtained with forceps 2 that utilizes two movable jaw members120, 122.

While the aforementioned forceps 2 have been described herein asincluding end effectors 12, 112 that cooperate with respective shaftassemblies 14, 114, other end effector and shaft assembly configurationsmay be utilized with forceps 2.

With reference to FIGS. 14-17, end effector 212 is illustrated includingtwo jaw members 220, 222. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14-17,end effector 212 utilizes a unilateral jaw configuration. In particular,jaw member 220 is movable with respect to shaft 214 a about pivot pin224 (FIGS. 14 and 18-19). Alternatively, a bilateral jaw configurationmay be utilized, described in detail below.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 15A, jaw member 220 is illustratedincluding proximal end 220 a having a generally arcuate notch 241disposed adjacent protuberance 240. Notch 241 is configured to receiveone or more camming structures 232 a (FIGS. 16-17) therein.

Camming structure 232 a may be any suitable camming structure. Forexample, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, camming structure 232a is in the form of a cam pin 243 a. Alternatively, distal end 233 ofshaft 214 b may have top and/or bottom rolled portions 247 a as shown inFIG. 17. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 16-17, cam pin 243 aand rolled bottom portion 247 a extend laterally across shaft 214 b andseat within the notch 241. The cam pin 243 a or rolled bottom portion247 a are configured to move within the confines of the notch 241 tomove jaw member 220 between the open configuration and clampingconfiguration. In particular, when cam pin 243 a (or rolled bottomportion 247 a) is in a relatively distal position within notch 241,which corresponds to shaft 214 b being in an extended configuration, jawmember 220 is maintained in the open configuration (FIG. 19). Likewise,when cam pin 243 a (or rolled bottom portion 247 a) is disposed in arelatively proximal position and adjacent (or in contact with)protuberance 240, which corresponds to shaft 214 b being in a retractedconfiguration, jaw member 220 is maintained in the clampingconfiguration (FIG. 20).

With reference to FIG. 15B, jaw member 222 is illustrated. Jaw member222 includes a generally arcuate bottom portion 245 that is configuredto facilitate movement of camming structure 232 a within notch 241. Inparticular, in an assembled configuration proximal end 222 a couples tothe shaft 214 a via one or more of the aforementioned coupling methods,e.g., ultrasonic welding, and one of the aforementioned cammingstructures 232 a is positioned within an area defined by arcuate bottomportion 245. The arcuate bottom portion 245 allows shaft 214 b to movefrom the extended configuration to the retracted configuration withoutinterference from jaw member 222, see FIGS. 18 and 19 for example.

Operation of forceps 2 that includes end effector 212 is describedherein with respect to camming structure 232 a including cam pin 243 a(FIG. 16).

In use, initially, shaft 214 b is in the extended configuration and campin 243 a is in a relatively distal position within notch 241 tomaintain jaw member 220 in the open configuration (FIG. 19).Subsequently, tissue may be positioned between jaw members 220, 222 andmovable handle 6 a may be moved proximally. Proximal movement of movablehandle 6 a moves shaft 214 b proximally to the retracted configuration.As shaft 214 b moves a predetermined distance proximally, cam pin 243 amoves into engagement with protuberance 240, which, in turn, moves jawmember 220 to the clamping configuration to clamp the tissue positionedbetween jaw member 220 and jaw member 222 (FIG. 18). In the clampedconfiguration, cam pin 243 a may be configured to provide one or more ofthe aforementioned suitable closure forces on the clamped tissue.

Electrosurgical energy from the generator may then be provided to jawmembers 220, 222 to electrosurgically treat tissue. In some embodiments,knife blade 28 may be actuated to move through aperture 30 of pivot pin224 to sever the treated tissue.

As can be appreciated, the same aforementioned advantages describedabove with respect to forceps 2 that utilizes end effectors 12, 112, maybe obtained with forceps 2 that utilizes end effector 212.

With reference to FIGS. 20-23, end effector 312 that utilizes abilateral jaw configuration is illustrated. Only those features uniqueto end effector 312 and shaft assembly 314 are described in detail.

With reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, shaft 314 b may include a pair of topand bottom cam pins 343 a, 343 b or a pair of top and bottom rolledportions 347 a, 347 b configured to seat within respective notches 341,351 (FIGS. 22-23) on jaw members 320, 322.

Jaw member 322 couples to shaft 314 a via pivot pin 324 (FIGS. 22-23)and includes protuberance 350 at a proximal end thereof.

In use, initially, shaft 314 b is in the extended configuration and campins 343 a, 343 b are in a relatively distal position within notches341, 351 to maintain jaw members 322, 320 in the open configuration(FIG. 23). Subsequently, tissue may be positioned between jaw members320, 322 and movable handle 6 a may be moved proximally. Proximalmovement of movable handle 6 a moves shaft 314 b proximally to theretracted configuration. As shaft 314 b moves a predetermined distanceproximally, cam pins 343 a, 343 b move into engagement withprotuberances 350, 340 which, in turn, moves jaw members 322, 320 to theclamping configuration to clamp the tissue positioned between jaw member320 and jaw member 322 (FIG. 23). In the clamped configuration, cam pins343 a, 343 b may be configured to provide one or more of theaforementioned suitable closure forces on the clamped tissue.

Electrosurgical energy from the generator may then be provided to jawmembers 320, 322 to electrosurgically treat tissue. In some embodiments,knife blade 28 may be actuated to move through aperture 30 of pivot pin324 to sever the treated tissue.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical apparatus, comprising: a housing; ashaft assembly supported on the housing and defining a longitudinal axistherethrough and including coaxially aligned outer and inner shaftmembers, the inner shaft member movable within the outer shaft memberand including at least one tine at a distal end thereof; and an endeffector including a pair of jaw members disposed at a distal end of theouter shaft member and pivotably coupled to one another, at least one ofthe jaw members pivotably coupled to the outer shaft and movable betweenopen and clamping configurations for grasping tissue, wherein the innershaft contacts a proximal end of the moveable jaw member to maintain themovable jaw member in the open configuration and is slidable against themovable jaw member to move the moveable jaw member between the openconfiguration and clamping configuration, wherein the at least one tineis configured to selectively engage a corresponding longitudinal slotdefined on an exterior top surface of the movable jaw member to move themoveable jaw member from the open configuration to the clampingconfiguration.
 2. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein apivot pin couples the pair of jaw members to one another.
 3. A surgicalapparatus according to claim 2, wherein an aperture extends through thepivot pin and is configured to receive a knife blade of the surgicalapparatus therethrough to sever grasped tissue.
 4. A surgical apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein both jaw members are pivotably coupled tothe outer shaft member and the inner shaft contacts a proximal end ofboth jaw members to maintain the jaw members in the open configuration,the moveable shaft member slidable against the jaw members to move thejaw members between the open and clamping configuration.
 5. A surgicalapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inner shaft member includestwo tines at a distal end thereof configured to selectively engagecorresponding longitudinal slots defined on an exterior top surface ofjaw members to move jaw members from the open configuration to theclamping configuration.
 6. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the surgical apparatus is an endoscopic electrosurgical forceps.7. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, further including a handleassembly operably coupled to the housing and having a movable handlethat is operably coupled to the inner shaft member to effectuatemovement thereof along the longitudinal axis defined through the shaftassembly.
 8. An endoscopic electrosurgical forceps, comprising: ahousing including a handle assembly having fixed and moveable handles; ashaft assembly supported on the housing and defining a longitudinal axistherethrough and including coaxially aligned outer and inner shaftmembers, the inner shaft member movable within the outer shaft memberwhen the moveable handle is actuated to effectuate grasping tissue, themoveable shaft member having at least one cam member disposed at adistal end thereof; and an end effector including a pair of jaw memberspivotably coupled to one another and disposed at a distal end of theouter shaft member, at least one of the jaw members movable from an openconfiguration to a clamping configuration, the movable jaw memberincluding an arcuate portion defined at the proximal end thereof,wherein the at least one cam member resides in the arcuate portion ofthe moveable jaw member to maintain the movable jaw member in the openconfiguration and to move the moveable jaw member between the openconfiguration to the clamping configuration when the movable handle isactuated.
 9. An endoscopic electrosurgical forceps according to claim 8,wherein the inner shaft member includes at least one cam memberextending transversely thereacross at a distal end thereof.
 10. Anendoscopic electrosurgical forceps according to claim 9, wherein the atleast one cam member is a cam pin.
 11. An endoscopic electrosurgicalforceps according to claim 9, wherein the at least one cam member isintegrally formed with the inner shaft member.
 12. An endoscopicelectrosurgical forceps according to claim 9, wherein the at least onecam member resides in an arcuate portion defined at the proximal end ofthe moveable jaw member and is moveable within the arcuate portion suchthat contact between the cam member and a proximal end of the arcuateportion moves the moveable jaw member from the open configuration to theclamping configuration.
 13. An endoscopic electrosurgical forcepsaccording to claim 8, wherein the inner shaft member includes two cammembers extending transversely thereacross at a distal end thereof, thecam members residing in arcuate portions defined at the proximal end ofthe jaw members and moveable within the arcuate portions such thatcontact between the cam members and a proximal end of the arcuateportions moves the jaw members from the open configuration to theclamping configuration.
 14. An endoscopic electrosurgical forcepsaccording to claim 8, wherein a pivot pin couples the pair of jawmembers to one another.